Morning all.
Gabriel Martinelli had spent the last few days being treated as if he was some kind of dastardly criminal by the usual suspects, you know the low-grade TV pundits whose ‘unblemished records’ gave them the freedom and latitude to attack Gabby for his singular error of judgement in the Liverpool game and therefore encouraging a pile on by other low-grade media outlets looking for clicks. All the while, and despite the high class comments post match from Liverpool manager Slot who put everything into perspective in a professional way, was obviously ignored by the trouble makers. Anybody would have thought that Martinelli was some kind of a property developer who had torn down an England flag put up by his workers on one of his sites such was the outrage.
Nethertheless, Mikel Arteta put Gabby into his starting XI at Fratton Park yesterday, one of ten changes from his last team selection. Merino sat in front of a makeshift back-four with King Gabriel and Norgaard playing alongside Ben White and Myles Lewis-Skelly. Pompey by comparison were in all kinds of trouble with injuries and with a team falling hard towards the bottom of their division. A walkover then?
For Portsmouth, the visit of Arsenal was a kind of a relief. Fratton Park was full and rocking, no pressure lads just go out and give it 100%, which is exactly what they did.
Arsenal were a team without rhythm despite its talents, of course they were, they might train together but as a team it was a new experience – and if you aren’t on your guard you can become a tad complacent and get caught out.
After only three minutes and with Portsmouth pressing as if their lives depended on it, Arsenal were playing out from the back and looking in control. That was until the ball was fed out to Madueke on the right wing. He casually took the ball but was quickly dispossessed and within the blink of an eye the ball was being crossed into the Arsenal penalty area where a snap shot looked goal-bound. Kepa did well to react and save but his clearance lacked distance and a Portsmouth player followed up to score. That set the pattern for the game from then on, because Portsmouth kept going until the final minute, credit to them.
Apparently Portsmouth have the worst record (thankfully) for defending set pieces and that saved our bacon because the Gunners created some pretty good attacking phases but slack and casual approach play saw pretty much all of them wasted. 5 minutes following the opening goal and 5 minutes of Pompey chimes that followed, Arsenal were awarded a corner. Eze chipped a devastating cross into the box and amid the flailing legs and arms the ball ended in the Pompey net. Initially I thought Norgaard had put it into the back of the net, but it turned out to be our new January signing Owngoalinho who had turned it over the line.
The goal took some of the atmosphere out of Fratton Park but the home team still put in the effort and no Arsenal defender could ponder too long on the ball. It was fairly end to end fare with a lot of half-chances not taken until Big Gabby lifted a telling forward pass to Eze on 24 who found Jesus, but he effort was saved. A minute later on Madueke, who can put in a mean corner almost of Sakaesque proportions drove one onto the head of Martinelli and he skilfully flicked it home. Two corners, two goals, it seemed like a plan…
With half an hour gone, a 1-0 deficit turned into a 2-1 lead as it seemed that the Gunners had weathered the storm. On 31 Martinelli took a pot shot from distance which swung just wide of the goal then on 37 Kepa, who had settled into his job after a few skittish moments found Ethan who surged into some midfield space, his pass found Jesus who switched it across to Madueke but his shot was blocked. On 41 Noni again had a chance to score as White and Jesus set him up with almost an open goal but he somehow contrived to miss the ball before Martinelli’s strike hit the post.
Finally on 42 Madueke got free in the box but before he could cross, Zak Swanson remembered that he was once an Arsenal player and brought Noni down, penalty.
I’m generally not in favour of the guy who is fouled for the penalty taking it but Noni was up and grabbed the ball. He then confidently sent the goalkeeping sprawling the wrong way whilst he put the ball in the opposite direction, unfortunately he put it wide of the goal and looked a proper Charlie. Half-Time 1-2
Arteta made no changes at half-time clearly with one eye on Stamford Bridge next Wednesday and on 51 the game was pretty much over. Noni was fouled and whilst the Portsmouth players lost concentration for a moment, Myles took the free kick quickly to Jesus who fired a low diagonal cross to Martinelli on the far post who tapped home to make it 1-3.
Then on 60 minutes Martinelli met another Madueke corner but his header flew over. The game settled into a pattern of Arsenal avoiding too many crunching challenges as Portsmouth made a few changes to try to up the tempo again. On 69 Arteta took off Jesus, Nwaneri and White who was on a yellow for Havertz, Odegaard and Timber. Timber immediately shut off the last vestige of a Pompey threat whilst Odegaard slowed it down and Havertz looked his elegant best.
On 71 Madueke had another good opportunity saved but from his corner a minute later Martinelli headed his hat-trick goal, his first for the club, and that was that. Havertz and Timber were tormenting the tiring Pompey players then on 76 Marli Salmon replaced Gabriel, becoming the youngest player to appear for Arsenal in the FA Cup at 16, but some still accuse Arteta of not giving youth a chance!
On 78 Kepa made a good one handed save from a Portsmouth snap shot therefore saving us from anymore last minute nerves. Salmon then slid into a perfectly timed sliding challenge that had me nodding in approval, the kids alright. On 82 minutes Martinelli left the field to be replaced by Zubimendi and seconds later following a good run by Odegaard, Eze fired in a good shot that the keeper did well to palm out for a corner. From then on it was a case of managing the closing minutes and being grateful that we weren’t one of the 3rd round shocks.
We march on…
By Kev.
Morning Gooners, thanks Rico 😁
Morning Kev, thank you. Good one.
Just watching MOTD, Macclesfield were brilliant.
So so pleased for the often overly criticised Martinelli.
Draw tonight, hope we get a kind draw so Arteta can rotate again.
I still think Norgaard poked our equaliser home..
Morning Rico, yeah I thought and hoped it was Norgaard but if you see it sideways on it had crossed the line before he helped into the back of the net.
Just watched replays Kev, definitely not an OG…
Nice one Kev. Thanks.
As a foot note to the Liverpool game, Conor Bradley will need surgery on his injured knee and will be out for the rest of the season. Martinelli did not cause the injury and has publicly apologised to Bradley who has accepted that apology.
Hopefully, those hiding behind a microphone will now lay off and consider some of the own on-field actions.
Thanks and we said Cicero…
I’ll have another look Rico
well said
Couldn’t agree more Cicero, the comments the ex Man Utd players is a nonsense, they were some of the ghastly of players.
Morning Rico and all. Thanks for the write up Kev. In a way I am glad we played Portsmouth on their ground, nothing personal against them but it sends a reminder to our players how lucky they to play on our ground.
I wonder what the commentators would say if Conor Bradley came out and said he would have done the same, if it was in reverse and Martinelli had gone to ground then rolled back on the pitch.
Morning rico, Kev, good report. Apart from the start, a very professional workmanlike performance, take that any day. Wonder who in goal now, any promises made re League Cup, or will Arteta feel Kepa has played this week and bring in Raya? If we lose to Chelsea, media will have a field day with bridesmaid comments again. Personally I really want us to get to Wembley, as well as a 50/50 with City on the day, it will help confidence for the following weeks.
It was an interesting experience , we all settled down to watch what seemed to be a fairly relaxed football match and before the tea got cold enough to drink we were 1 goal down and the jitters on the pitch transferred to the back of the sofa.
The team looked like a Sunday team that had only just met at the pub the night before and rolled out 5 pints down.
To their credit Portsmouth took full advantage of our seemingly lack of familiarity and proceeded to hunt us down at every given opportunity. They targeted Lewis Skelly who had a torrid time and whose future as a left back must need evaluation .
You can shout me down but I have always seen him as a midfielder where his ability to shine depends on his ability to run with the ball ,at left back he is positionally flawed and Gabriel is drawn over to protect and leaves a gap in central defence.
As Kev said we got back level fairly quickly but their early goal gave them the belief that they could do it again and they closed our midfield which had Merino being quietly efficient , Nwaneri being the pick of the bunch and Eze fairly anonymous.
Up front Madueke was blowing hot and cold lots of impressive running in open play with little end product and once again we fell upon the set piece as our salvation.
In evaluation Arteta if he looks for them will see the shortcomings and it tends to prove that he can make one or three changes but 7 or 8 are too many.
To see things out he resorted to bringing on Havertz to give him minutes ,Timber , Odegaard , Zubimendi and finally Salmon whose cameo was impressive to say the least .
As Kev said we go on to the next round being drawn tonight and I bet a few balls are ready for the oven as we speak .
Cheers Geoff.
I see that Everton are reportedly interested in Ben White – and who wouldn’t be? I can’t see that going anywhere in January and why would he want to leave in any case?
We still have a few ‘expendables’ out on loan we need to unload next summer as it is?
Wednesday’s game against Chelsea is the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final so I would expect Kepa to start but for Arteta to revert to his strongest available out-field eleven.
Thanks Andrew, great point re:g/k, Kepa didn’t exactly enhance his reputation during those early moments vs Portsmouth, we’ve been spoiled by Raya and how safe he is, I didn’t feel that safe with Kepa so it’s a big call for Wednesday?
Potter, I doubt that we’ll see as rotated a line-up again this season, with the possible exception of Kairat in the CL? Arteta can’t win either way, if he doesn’t rotate in the squad players he gets roasted and when he does and the performance is disjointed he’s criticised again. I think he got it right yesterday despite the bitten fingernails and some of the squad players really needed the minutes.
More grief for Spurs, their joint sporting director Fabio Paratici is leaving after just four months. Off to Fiorentina.
Imagine being a Spurs fan!
Morning Geoff, Andrew.
I too hope we get to Wembley, we need a trophy, as does Mikel imo.
Salmon was as cool as a cucumber without being sloppy. Big future for him if he stays grounded, which I’m sure he will.
Per Mertesacker, the club’s Academy Manager, has confirmed he will leave Arsenal at the end of the season after eight years in the role.
Per has overseen our men’s Academy since 2018 with a vision to develop distinctive Strong Young Gunners – young players who have gone on to make their mark with our own men’s first team, pursued successful careers at other clubs or followed different paths to fulfil their potential with an excellent grounding and education.
Per’s continued focus on ‘better people making better players’ has ensured our Academy instils the values of Arsenal into young players who understand what it means to represent the Gunners.
Per said: “Arsenal is and will always be a very special club to me, so this was a difficult decision. I am very thankful for the trust the club put in me when transitioning from a first-team player directly into the role as Head of Academy. Now it is time for me to move on and explore something new and push myself even further.
“I remain focused on finishing the season strongly, continuing to nurture and develop our young talent and support a seamless transition until my very last day with the club.”
Richard Garlick, Arsenal’s Chief Executive Officer said: “We support Per’s decision to pursue something new, but we will be incredibly sad to see him leave at the end of the season.
“We were fortunate to have retained Per as Academy Manager once he finished his playing career with us in 2018. He understands what Arsenal stands for and this has been a constant in his leadership – inspiring our Academy coaches, staff and young players in an Arsenal way and giving so many an opportunity to develop and shine.
“We’re happy that Per remains in role until the end of the season whilst we focus on our succession plan.
“We continue in our pursuit of winning major trophies with a sustained focus and investment in our Academy.”
Thanks Kev,your reports always make me smile.
Yesterday was tough going for a long time,until we got the third goal really. A lot of credit has to go to Portsmouth,they didn’t give up even when we took control. We’ve got to expect this most games,I bet their fans were thinking where was this sort of effort all season.
For us MLS is struggling,most of the team did to be fair. As said Eze was quiet,he came into the game more in the second half. To me he is still a fantastic player to have in your squad. He is pretty much the only player we have who will play a first time pass,everyone else takes too many touches.
How great to see Havertz back,he looked sharp and hungry,I can see him scoring goals in the second half of the season. To be fair Jesus looks sharp as well,I can’t see him scoring many though,I’d love to be proved wrong.
Raya for me against Chelsea,Kepa is a good second choice but Wednesday is a semi final.
How many more times are the media going to go on about the Martinelli/Bradley incident. The idiot commentator yesterday must have been on a bonus,he went on so much.
Limey when have you ever heard a commentator or summariser say something original. They rely on the same old clinches and repeat whatever will fill their time on air without having to exercise the few brain cells they have. Shit stirring is a prime example.